​The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly do not intend to waste their 15th and final roster spot on a fringe piece; their aim is to add a game-changing talent. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers treat the last roster slot as “a very important” element of their overall strategy and want to proceed with careful, deliberate decision-making. “There’s one empty roster spot remaining. Sometimes a team with 14 guys would prefer to keep the spot open to make a move at the trade deadline or to preserve some optionality. That’s not the case for the Lakers. They view this final spot as a very important piece to their potential puzzle,” McMenamin explained on NBA Today on Wednesday. He added that the Lakers are trying to present an enticing opportunity: come here, you’ll compete on the sport’s biggest stage, and you might have to accept a pay cut for a year or two, but you can position yourself to regain substantial earnings in the future.
Previously, the Lakers filled their penultimate roster slot with veteran big man Kevon Looney, which left them at 14 players on the active roster, as reflected in their current lineup. Cameron Carr and Kevon Looney were among the recent additions and updates noted around the team’s roster situation.
At the center of the Lakers’ current maneuvering is a potential trade involving Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht, with the goal of acquiring a true difference-maker such as Jonathan Kuminga or another impact player. Vanderbilt, while capable of contributing on defense, has been a suspect shooter, yet his defensive versatility could hold appeal for teams seeking upgrades on that end of the floor. Vanderbilt carries a $12.4 million cap-friendly salary for the upcoming season, with a $13.2 million player option for 2027-28, which keeps him as a movable asset within trade conversations.
McMenamin stressed that the Lakers remain intrigued by Kuminga, a player who is reportedly seeking a contract in the $15–$18 million per season range. The plan, as described by the insider, would require some strategic maneuvering: attaching Vanderbilt and Knecht to two second-round picks the Lakers possess from the Wizards, effectively enabling the salary space needed to pursue Kuminga. This would be the kind of move that would justify using the final roster spot on a player who can genuinely impact the team’s ceiling.
California Post’s Khobi Price added context about the Lakers’ trade talks involving Vanderbilt and the Hawks’ price point in a Kuminga sign-and-trade scenario. The report noted that the Hawks are open to a framework in which Kuminga moves to Los Angeles while Atlanta receives Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap—the Lakers’ only first-round asset available for the summer. Price also pointed out that Los Angeles possesses three second-round picks (two from Washington and its own 2033 pick) that could be included in such a package. For a sign-and-trade to land Kuminga in this manner, Kuminga’s contract would need to span three or four seasons (excluding option years), and the first season must be fully guaranteed if the deal goes forward.
Lakers fans should not overlook the appeal of Kuminga as the type of “difference-maker” who could transform the team’s ceiling. His combination of athleticism and defensive versatility would align well with the franchise’s aspirations, adding a layer of versatility and energy that could complement the roster’s existing strengths. Securing a player of Kuminga’s caliber would certainly justify devoting the 15th roster slot to a high-impact addition rather than a merely utilitarian piece, and it would reflect the organization’s broader strategy of maximizing long-term potential rather than settling for a stopgap solution.
In summary, Los Angeles is weighing the final roster spot with an eye toward impact rather than convenience. The front office appears prepared to back a decision that could entail significant financial and asset commitments, all aimed at acquiring a player capable of elevating the team’s performance in meaningful ways. Whether that means pursuing Kuminga through a sign-and-trade or pursuing another qualified difference-maker, the Lakers’ latest moves underscore a commitment to prioritizing talent and upside in the 15th slot, rather than filling it with a veteran placeholder.